
The extent of season pass liability waivers are being tested in Colorado courts. PHOTO BY BOB BERWYN.
Judges rule that waivers don’t exempt ski areas from meeting requirements of the Ski Safety Act
By Bob Berwyn
SUMMIT COUNTY —Judges in Colorado ski towns are starting to carve out a little bit of room for skiers to claim damages when ski areas are found to violate specific provisions of the Ski Safety Act.
At issue are the broad liability waivers that skiers and snowboarders sign when they purchase season passes. Daily lift tickets also include a waiver, but the season pass waivers have included an additional liability waiver under which pass holders give up their rights to sue for negligence.
Resorts have consistently used to waivers to counter lawsuits, asserting they are protected from most claims by boilerplate waiver language like this:
“The Undersigned expressly ASSUME ALL RISKS associated with Holder’s participation in the Activity, known or unknown, inherent or otherwise … “
It’s that added layer of legal insulation that’s being challenged in court, and on May 10, Pitkin County District Court Judge Denise Lynch ruled that the waiver doesn’t protect the Aspen Skiing Company from claims made by Ryan Bradley, who was injured Feb. 20, 2010 when he was hit by a jake table, installed on a chairlift to transport injured skiers. (more…)
Filed under: Colorado, recreation, ski industry, skiing and riding, Summit County Colorado, Vail Resorts | Tagged: Aspen Skiing Company, Colorado, season pass liability waivers, ski industry, ski law, Ski Safety Act, skiing, Vail Resorts, Waiver | Leave a Comment »


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